Feb 17, 2003 08:01 AM
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(Updated Feb 17, 2003 08:04 AM)
The wonderful world of computer animation! Priceless, amazing, fun, and hypnotizing. Animated movies are quickly placing their stake in the world of movie making hits. Of the many “A” list animated movies around, I choose the following:
- SHREK (2001) Shrek, (Mike Myers) a peaceful ogre, whom everyone fears because of his appearance, is none other than a “misunderstood softy.” He is invaded upon by a talking Donkey, (Eddie Murphy), fleeing soldiers in search of fairy tale creatures. Lord Farquaad, (John Lithgow), decides to store the fairy tale creatures into Shrek’s swamp. This does not go well with Shrek, so, with Donkey in tow, Shrek decides to pay Lord Farquaad a visit to demand his swamp back.
Once in the city of Duloc, Shrek makes a deal with Lord Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona (whom Farquaad has chosen to be his bride), for the return of his swamp. Upon accepting Farquaad’s offer, Shrek and Donkey head for the Princess castle, surrounded by hot, boiling lava, and protected by a fire-breathing dragon.
During the rescue of Princess Fiona, Donkey becomes the Dragon’s love interest. He quickly discovers she is a female dragon and has eyes only for him. Meanwhile, Princess Fiona suspects her knight in shining armor to plant a kiss on her puckered lips, which is the farthest thing from Shrek’s mind. After a long, but comical chase through the castle, with the dragon in tow breathing fire at its intruders, Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona lands safely on ground, and out of the dragon’s reach.
As the three travel back to Farquaad’s kingdom of Duloc, they create an unlikely friendship, especially Shrek and Princess Fiona. The playful, tender moment between the two is cute and sweet. The eye-opener is the transformation of Princess Fiona into an ogre. It isn’t revealed to Shrek until the end, when the Princess is about to become the bride of Farquaad. Only Donkey knows the truth, and has promised not to tell Shrek. This animated hit appeals to all ages.
- MONSTERS, INC. (2001) Where do monsters live? For kids, the question is inevitable…they live under the bed, behind the door, in the closet, and only comes out at night when it is dark. At least that’s the way I remember it. In this movie, monsters live in a place called Monstropolis, a place where every scary little monster in a child’s imagination is lurking.
The working monsters of Monsters, Inc., enters gateways into bedrooms of children on Earth, frighten them into screaming uncontrollably, captures the energy from the screams, and convert it into electricity for their city.
Sulley Sullivan (John Goodman), and Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), holds the record for being the best scream-snatchers. Sully, although giant and scary-looking (to kids), really is gentle and kind. Enters Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi), who will do anything to beat their record, even if it means cheating. One night, Randall decides to break Monsters, Inc. rules and visit the other side. By accident, Sully discovers Randall’s game, and when he opens a door, Boo (Mary Gibbs), crosses into the monster’s world of Monstropolis, bringing horror into the city. Now, Sully and Mike are in a race for time trying to hide the little visitor from Earth, and expose Randall and his scheme. This is a delightful animated movie and certainly a winner with kids.
TOY STORY (1995) Enters the arrival of Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), who has become the favorite toy of a six-year-old. This newfound bond between the six-year-old and Buzz does not go well with cowboy Woody (Tom Hanks). In an inept plan to get rid of Buzz, cowboy Woody’s plan backfires, and the two end up rescuing each other from a devious child, who’s main goal is to demolish toys. Another delightful, colorful animation that will keep children entertained throughout the movie.
THE LION KING (1994) This animated wonder is a bit more suitable for adults. This movie focuses more on guilt and forgiveness. Simba, is a young lion cub and heir to his father’s throne. He is tricked by his Uncle Scar, into going into forbidden territory, after being warned by his father Mufasa, king of the lions. When Simba disobeys his father and enters the forbidden area, Mufasa has to save him, after Scar’s deceitful plan to start a stampede, goes into action. In a courageous effort to save his son from the stampede, Mufasa dangles from high atop a mountain’s edge, and calls out for help from Scar, his treacherous brother.
Scar, wanting to be ruler of the Lion kingdom, causes Mufasa to fall to his death. He knows now that only one thing stands in his way of becoming King - Simba, heir to his father’s throne. The treacherous Scar tells Simba that he is the reason his father is dead. Wracked with guilt and anguish, Simba leaves the kingdom, placing Scar in a position to become ruler of the lion kingdom.
Simba soon finds happiness by befriending a jolly, bug-eating warthog, and a know-it-all meerkat. Soon, Simba is discovered by Nala, who is now, all grown up, as is Simba. Nala and Simba’s love for each other peaks as they re-enter childhood fun and games. After telling Simba the condition of the kingdom under Scar’s authority, Simba decides to go back and take his rightful place as King.
Confronted by Scar, he is forced to reveal his reason for leaving the kingdom. In an all-out fight, Scar reveals to Simba that he is the killer of his father, and not Simba. This pushes Simba to revenge his father’s death. He throws Scar into the Hyena’s lair, and by the very same Hyena’s Scar forced to be his aides, in the end they turn against him. The animation is dynamic, with musical scores by Elton John and Tim Rice.
- BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991) Brilliant, sensational, irresistible, charming, and unforgettable, are just a few words, which describe this animated classic. The movie captivates viewers with the beauty of Belle (Paige O’Hara), one of the oldest denizens of the village. She is a loner who loves to read books. However, Gaston (Richard White), wants nothing more than for Belle to become his wife. When Belle’s father disappears, she wanders off into the forest in search of her father. She sees a gloomy looking castle, and curiosity gets the best of her as she wanders into the castle. Once inside, Belle begin to explore and discovers magical household objects with life-like form, such as Mrs. Potts the teapot (Angela Lansbury), Lumiere the candlestick (Jerry Orbach), Cogsworth the clock (David Ogden Stiers), and others.
The Beast, (Robby Benson), is hideous and ruler of his domain. He has been cursed to remain a beast until he finds someone who can love him as the beast, and not as the prince he once was. Upon seeing the beauty of Belle, he has hope that Belle will be the one to break the curse, but he also feels that she will be afraid of him. He offers to release Belle’s father, if she agree to be his guest. Belle agrees, and he releases her father, only to hold her captive.
Belle soon realizes that life in the castle ruled by the Beast, isn’t as bad as it would appear to be from the outside. It soon becomes apparent that the Beast is not as frightening as he appears, and shows his true heroic side when he risks his life for Belle. Beauty and the Beast is the ‘mother’ of mesmerizing animation. It is an all-time classic, favored by young and old alike.
Honorable Mentions includes: The Prince of Egypt, All Dogs Go to Heaven, Alladin, Mulan, and Oliver & Company
